Coffee Body Scrub

(REPOST)

Summer is fast approaching and the thought of getting into a swimsuit makes me cringe. So in my efforts to try and get my “winter body” even remotely close to being a “summer body” I have decided the neglect must stop. It’s crunch time!

I read in Cosmo (I LOVE that Maag ;o)  ) awhile back that coffee can help reduce cellulite if it is scrubbed on the body. Now, I LOVE coffee and the thought of rubbing it all over my body sounded pretty damn good to me. So off I went into the kitchen to make my own coffee scrub.

This scrub is wonderful! I am addicted to this stuff. I LOVE the way it makes my skin feel and the way it smells. I should point out, the first time I used it, I crawled into bed and my hubby turned to me and glanced at my nightstand…seeing nothing he glanced back to me and looked at me curiously, “Did you make coffee?” he had asked.  I’m not kidding…you’ll smell like a pot of freshly brewed coffee after you use this scrub so please be aware of that. Also, this stuff is seriously rough…I wouldn’t recommend using it on your face. I make a batch and store it in a canning jar and keep it in my shower all the time.

The jury is out whether it reduces cellulite simply because I haven’t used it that long.

Brown Sugar Coffee Body Scrub

2 cups of coarsely ground coffee (buy the super cheap stuff just make sure it’s caffeinated)

1/2 cup raw sugar (I’ve tossed in a little brown sugar too)

2/3 tablespoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon almond (or vanilla) extract

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and then transfer and store in a tightly sealed container. I use a mason jar.

Use scrub in shower on damp skin!

~type you soon~

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As you can tell I haven’t been blogging in a while. I love to blog and share things with you however life has gotten very busy (I’m finishing up another book) and I just can’t find the time. However, I am on Facebook ,Twitter and Pinterest so stop in and see me (see why I don't have time...LOL).

I am hoping this summer, when the book is finished, I’ll have more time and I can post again. We will see how it goes. I will keep you updated. Please feel free to leave comments on any of the posts-no matter how old. I have them sent to my email so I'll get them and I'll be sure to reply to them.

A big Thank You to everyone who emailed me to “check in” and see how I was doing. I am so blessed to have friends and readers like you!!!!!

Lot’s of Love!

~type you soon~

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Snowflake Project for Newtown, Connecticut

My daughter and I are making snowflakes for the children at Sandy Hook Elementary. The old school will no longer be used so the students will attend a new school. The teachers of the area are asking people to make and decorate snowflakes that will then be hung in the hallways of the new school. They do not want any words on the snowflakes, and are hoping for cheerful, happy (glitter & sparkle) snowflakes for the students to see when they enter their new building. When sending your snowflakes, please include a note about where they are from (school, class, town, state) to display along with your snowflakes. Hopefully we can bring a smile to the faces of these students!

Please send snowflakes to:

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Snowflakes will be accepted until January 12, 2013

~type you soon~

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Merry Chirstmas!

Wow! That was an amazing Christmas. I hope all of you have an amazing time too. I can’t believe it’s over. I have Christmas music playing as I write this…I’m not ready for it to end just yet.

Before Christmas, I spent several days in Southern California. I took my daughter to Data Point Harbor where they have a Christmas Parade with the boats.

On the long drive back home we wrote a book together…well she actually told me I need to write her a book (because she knows the only book she can read, that I’ve written, is ACROSS ETERNITY- which she loved! But the others are for adults.) So with pen and notebook in hand and a half a day’s drive, she plotted her dream story. She’s very creative and clever. It was a lot of fun and I’ve already written the first 2 chapters. I’m not sure if it will ever become a book, but I’m having a great time doing this with her.

Christmas morning was amazing. It was just my hubby and two kids (1 dog and 3 cats—yes they sit right in the middle of it all). I LOVE turning on Christmas music and watching my family open presents…get excited…laugh…hug & kiss…get excited again…laugh some more…lots more hugs, kisses, and thank-yous…doesn’t get any better than that.

My son bought my daughter JUST DANCE for the Xbox 360 Kinect. All I have to say is I “Just Danced” my butt off for an hour Christmas day. I am the undefeated champion…apparently I have moves like Jagger…and the following morning I rolled out of bed (I mean that seriously). I felt like I was ran over by a truck…my spine refused to straighten, my legs refused to carry my weight…that game kicked my butt! My hubby and kids laughed at me as I tried to make my way to the Keurig…

Timber, our beloved Catahoula Leopard, who is our faithful companion and protector was an angel all year. She got lots of goodies in her stocking too. She even got a new sweater to keep her warm (Catahoula’s are single haired so they get cold easy). Her new outfit has peace signs because she keeps the peace…She’s the Sherriff of the house!

 

Timber waited until the day after Christmas to misbehave. Here is her “Dog Shaming” picture…

(if you can't read her letter of apology click on the picture so it will get bigger)

 

~type you soon~

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Oranges and Cloves

I love the combination of oranges and clove. Something about the fragrance reminds me of Christmas!

 

~type you soon~

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This Warmed My heart! ~Tom Shadyac's Students Give Back~

Hi everyone....it’s been a busy busy week. This is a short post but one I wanted to share with all my friends.

May generosity and love spread through this holiday season and beyond…

I hope everyone makes today ridiculously amazing!

~type you soon~

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Homemade Almond Roca!

I post this recipe last year, but since I have gotten 3 emails this week requesting the recipe I thought I’d post it again.

My family LOVES Almond Roca. I’m not the best candy maker so when I found this super easy recipe I was so excited. This doesn’t take that long to make and is so yummy.

Super Easy Almond Roca

1/2 cup dry roasted almonds chopped (from Costco)

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons boiling water

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Rubbed a little melted butter all over an 11-in. x 7-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Evenly sprinkle chopped almonds in the bottom of the greased baking pan. Set aside.

In a saucepan over low heat, cook butter and sugar for a few minutes. You want the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve and become bubbly. Add water and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat. As you cook you’ll want to stir often—scraping the bottom of the pan and around the sides too.

Cook until a candy thermometer reads 300 degrees F (hard-crack stage).

Quickly pour over almonds. Wait about a minute or so then sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Let the chips stand for 1-2 minutes and then spread and swirl chocolate over candy with a spatula. I chop some more almonds and sprinkle them over the top (just so it looks pretty). Let the Almond Roca cool completely and then break into pieces.

A few side notes: I love to give this as a hostess gift. Just put the Roca in a zip lock bag and then put it in a cute holiday container.

If you are a little short on time and you need the Roca to cool quickly just pop the pan in the refrigerator so it’ll cool faster.

Since I’m not the best candy maker I find if I heat the Roca to the 300 degrees slowly I don’t burn the sugar.

If you want thinner Roca used a bigger pan. If you want thicker Roca use a smaller pan.

Enjoy!

~type you soon~

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The Perfect Wrapping for the Perfect Present

I love to wrap the presents I buy. To me, a beautifully wrapped gift is just as important as what is inside. I usually set a day aside and turn on the Christmas music, brew a cup of coffee, and enjoy the activity.

( Perfect for the gentlemen )

(Can you tell why I like this one? Look closely )

~type you soon~

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Tracking Santa Claus

It’s December 1st! Little ones everywhere are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the big guy in the sleigh. You’ll know exactly where he is thanks to NORAD(the North American Aerospace Defense Command).

There is also a Santa's Countdown Calendar. It’s very interactive so the little ones will love it.

(click on picture to see the calendar)

They have apps so you can track him on your iPad, phone, or pc.

Here is a little history on NORAD…

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa's flight.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Don’t forget your Advent Calendars. My kids LOVE them. It’s a fun way to keep track of the big day…and who doesn’t like to wake up to a piece a chocolate first thing in the morning. I blogged about them here

My readers are the BEST!!! Thanks to all of you, Across Eternity came in 2nd place in the cover contest! I’m having a giveaway over at GoodReads so if you are a member please enter. If you aren’t a member don’t fret I’m also giving away a copy here; all you have to do is leave a comment.

~type you soon~

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A Little Front Door Christmas Inspiration

Hi there! I have been so busy I haven’t had time to post. I suspect it’s only going to get busier since Christmas is nipping at our heels.

I love beautifully decorated front doors—what better way to welcome guests.  Whether they are traditional, rustic, simplistic, or romantic, they make me feel nostalgic.

 

~type you soon~

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